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Little Bobtail
Little Bobtail

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Little Bobtail
Context Illustration Reading 1/47 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CAPTAIN CHINKS IS INDIFFERENT.
"I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.
"But we are making a strange case of it."
The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.
He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Little Bobtail

Chapter XII

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CAPTAIN CHINKS IS INDIFFERENT.
Line 2
"I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.
Line 3
"But we are making a strange case of it."
Line 4
The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.
Line 5
He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “"I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “"I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.”

CAPTAIN noun US /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “CAPTAIN CHINKS IS INDIFFERENT.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “"I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “"I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.”

All words in this reading · 64

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "But we are making a strange case of it."

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

agreed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "But we are making a strange case of it."

arrangement

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

bestowed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

better

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

business

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But we are making a strange case of it."

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

CAPTAINnounUS /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading CAPTAIN CHINKS IS INDIFFERENT.

case

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "But we are making a strange case of it."

CHINKS

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CAPTAIN CHINKS IS INDIFFERENT.

circumstances

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

claimed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

counsel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

don't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

facts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

frown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

INDIFFERENT

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading CAPTAIN CHINKS IS INDIFFERENT.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading CAPTAIN CHINKS IS INDIFFERENT.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "But we are making a strange case of it."

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

legal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

making

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "But we are making a strange case of it."

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

perplexed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

properly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

Simonton

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

smiles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

Squire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

strange

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "But we are making a strange case of it."

sweet-tempered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was perplexed, and very properly claimed the right, as counsel, to know all the facts.

vexed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "I don't know that we can do any better under the circumstances," said Squire Simonton, after the arrangement of the legal business had been agreed upon.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The squire bestowed one of his pleasant smiles upon the case, for he was one of those sweet-tempered men who never frown, even when they are vexed.